Rio Tinto chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques says the mining giant's new Koodaideri iron ore mine in West Australia's Pilbara region will be the most technologically advanced mine the company has ever built.
Rio announced on Thursday morning it had received full approval for the $US2.6 billion ($3.5 billion) mine, with construction to start next year and first production expected in late 2021.
The mine will have annual capacity of 43 million tonnes, and will replace existing production of Rio's flagship Pilbara Blend product.
"Koodaideri is a game-changer for Rio Tinto," Mr Jacques said. "It will be the most technologically advanced mine we have ever built and sets a new benchmark for the industry in terms of the adoption of automation and the use of data to enhance safety and productivity."
Rio says Koodaideri will incorporate more than 70 innovations, including the creation of a digital replica of its processing plant that will be accessible in real time by workers in the field, an automated workshop and data analytics to optimise production and reduce downtime.
Rio has also approved a $44 million study into the second phase of Koodaideri, which could take production to 70 million tonnes.
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